CPR CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
• Adult, Child, and Infant CPR Techniques
• AED Operation and Safety
• Choking Relief (Heimlich Maneuver)
• Rescue Breathing and Airway Management
• Cardiac Arrest Recognition and Emergency Response
• Legal and Ethical Considerations (Good Samaritan Laws, Consent)
• Team Dynamics and Communication During Resuscitation
• Special Circumstances (Drowning, Opioid Overdose, Trauma)
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to thoroughly assess your
knowledge and preparedness for CPR certification. It evaluates both foundational
theory and the practical, applied skills necessary for effective resuscitation. The
exam utilizes a mix of direct knowledge questions and complex, scenario-based
problems to test your critical thinking and decision-making abilities in emergency
situations. Emphasis is placed on the real-world application of CPR guidelines,
ensuring you can integrate theoretical understanding with practical competence. By
working through these questions, you will reinforce essential concepts and identify
areas needing further study, ultimately building the confidence required to perform
effectively and save lives. The rationales provided offer detailed feedback on why an
answer is correct, solidifying your learning and clarifying key principles.
════════════════════════════════════
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 50
════════════════════════════════════
,1. A healthcare provider finds an adult victim who is unresponsive, not
breathing, and has no pulse. Which action should be performed first?
A. Open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
B. Begin chest compressions
C. Check for a carotid pulse for 10 seconds
D. Provide two rescue breaths
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Begin chest compressions
🔴 Explanation: The current CPR guidelines prioritize high-quality chest
compressions. For an unresponsive victim with no breathing and no pulse, the
first action is to start chest compressions immediately to circulate blood to the
vital organs. The sequence is Compressions, Airway, Breathing (C-A-B).
2. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
🟢 Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
🔴 Explanation: The recommended compression depth for an adult is at least 2
inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). This depth ensures adequate
blood flow to the brain and heart during resuscitation efforts.
3. You are performing CPR on a 6-month-old infant. What is the correct
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
,C. 5:1
D. 3:1
🟢 Correct Answer: B. 30:2
🔴 Explanation: For a single rescuer performing CPR on an infant, child, or adult,
the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2. This ensures a high
number of continuous chest compressions are delivered to maximize coronary
perfusion pressure.
4. An AED is being used on a victim. A shock is advised. What should the
rescuer do immediately before delivering the shock?
A. Remove any medication patches on the victim's chest
B. Ensure no one is touching the victim
C. Dry the victim's chest if it is wet
D. Apply more conductive gel to the pads
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Ensure no one is touching the victim
🔴 Explanation: The most critical step before delivering a shock is to ensure that
no one is in contact with the victim. This is a clear and loud "stand clear"
command to prevent the shock from being conducted through the rescuers and
to ensure the safety of everyone present.
5. What is the primary purpose of CPR?
A. To restart the heart
B. To provide oxygen to the lungs
C. To maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart
D. To correct an abnormal heart rhythm
🟢 Correct Answer: C. To maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and
heart
, 🔴 Explanation: The primary purpose of CPR is to manually pump the heart to
maintain a minimal but critical flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and other
vital organs until advanced life support can be provided. It does not typically
restart the heart; defibrillation is needed for that.
6. You are caring for a conscious adult who is choking and cannot speak,
cough, or breathe. What is the correct maneuver?
A. Encourage the victim to cough forcefully
B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
C. Perform back blows and chest thrusts
D. Administer high-flow oxygen
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
🔴 Explanation: For a conscious adult or child over 1 year who is choking with a
severe airway obstruction (cannot speak, cough, or breathe), the correct action is
to perform abdominal thrusts to create an artificial cough and expel the foreign
object.
7. A patient is in cardiac arrest due to a shockable rhythm. What is the priority
intervention after initiating CPR?
A. Establishing an IV line
B. Defibrillation
C. Intubation
D. Administering epinephrine
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Defibrillation
🔴 Explanation: For cardiac arrest caused by a shockable rhythm like ventricular
fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), defibrillation is the most
effective and priority intervention. CPR is performed until the defibrillator is ready
to deliver a shock.
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
• Adult, Child, and Infant CPR Techniques
• AED Operation and Safety
• Choking Relief (Heimlich Maneuver)
• Rescue Breathing and Airway Management
• Cardiac Arrest Recognition and Emergency Response
• Legal and Ethical Considerations (Good Samaritan Laws, Consent)
• Team Dynamics and Communication During Resuscitation
• Special Circumstances (Drowning, Opioid Overdose, Trauma)
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to thoroughly assess your
knowledge and preparedness for CPR certification. It evaluates both foundational
theory and the practical, applied skills necessary for effective resuscitation. The
exam utilizes a mix of direct knowledge questions and complex, scenario-based
problems to test your critical thinking and decision-making abilities in emergency
situations. Emphasis is placed on the real-world application of CPR guidelines,
ensuring you can integrate theoretical understanding with practical competence. By
working through these questions, you will reinforce essential concepts and identify
areas needing further study, ultimately building the confidence required to perform
effectively and save lives. The rationales provided offer detailed feedback on why an
answer is correct, solidifying your learning and clarifying key principles.
════════════════════════════════════
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 50
════════════════════════════════════
,1. A healthcare provider finds an adult victim who is unresponsive, not
breathing, and has no pulse. Which action should be performed first?
A. Open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
B. Begin chest compressions
C. Check for a carotid pulse for 10 seconds
D. Provide two rescue breaths
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Begin chest compressions
🔴 Explanation: The current CPR guidelines prioritize high-quality chest
compressions. For an unresponsive victim with no breathing and no pulse, the
first action is to start chest compressions immediately to circulate blood to the
vital organs. The sequence is Compressions, Airway, Breathing (C-A-B).
2. What is the recommended compression depth for an adult during CPR?
A. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
C. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
🟢 Correct Answer: B. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
🔴 Explanation: The recommended compression depth for an adult is at least 2
inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). This depth ensures adequate
blood flow to the brain and heart during resuscitation efforts.
3. You are performing CPR on a 6-month-old infant. What is the correct
compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
,C. 5:1
D. 3:1
🟢 Correct Answer: B. 30:2
🔴 Explanation: For a single rescuer performing CPR on an infant, child, or adult,
the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2. This ensures a high
number of continuous chest compressions are delivered to maximize coronary
perfusion pressure.
4. An AED is being used on a victim. A shock is advised. What should the
rescuer do immediately before delivering the shock?
A. Remove any medication patches on the victim's chest
B. Ensure no one is touching the victim
C. Dry the victim's chest if it is wet
D. Apply more conductive gel to the pads
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Ensure no one is touching the victim
🔴 Explanation: The most critical step before delivering a shock is to ensure that
no one is in contact with the victim. This is a clear and loud "stand clear"
command to prevent the shock from being conducted through the rescuers and
to ensure the safety of everyone present.
5. What is the primary purpose of CPR?
A. To restart the heart
B. To provide oxygen to the lungs
C. To maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart
D. To correct an abnormal heart rhythm
🟢 Correct Answer: C. To maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and
heart
, 🔴 Explanation: The primary purpose of CPR is to manually pump the heart to
maintain a minimal but critical flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and other
vital organs until advanced life support can be provided. It does not typically
restart the heart; defibrillation is needed for that.
6. You are caring for a conscious adult who is choking and cannot speak,
cough, or breathe. What is the correct maneuver?
A. Encourage the victim to cough forcefully
B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
C. Perform back blows and chest thrusts
D. Administer high-flow oxygen
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
🔴 Explanation: For a conscious adult or child over 1 year who is choking with a
severe airway obstruction (cannot speak, cough, or breathe), the correct action is
to perform abdominal thrusts to create an artificial cough and expel the foreign
object.
7. A patient is in cardiac arrest due to a shockable rhythm. What is the priority
intervention after initiating CPR?
A. Establishing an IV line
B. Defibrillation
C. Intubation
D. Administering epinephrine
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Defibrillation
🔴 Explanation: For cardiac arrest caused by a shockable rhythm like ventricular
fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), defibrillation is the most
effective and priority intervention. CPR is performed until the defibrillator is ready
to deliver a shock.
